After 301 days away from college football, Andrew Body didn’t need to put together a spectacular performance for Alabama State.
He just needed to be Andrew Body again.
The Hornets’ star quarterback returned to the field Saturday and helped lead Alabama State to a 30-17 victory over Southern in the inaugural Birmingham Classic at Legion Field.
Body, the reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, completed 14 of 23 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. He also rushed eight times for 42 yards as Alabama State overcame a 17-13 halftime deficit by scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half.
For Eddie Robinson, however, Body’s return wasn’t about expecting his quarterback to carry the entire offense.
The Alabama State coach knows he has too many weapons around Body to put that kind of pressure on him.
One of them was sophomore wide receiver Randall King, who finished with four catches for 77 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown reception from Body in the third quarter.
“King, he was the guy that just made a play,” Robinson said. “We knew what type of wide receiver he was. He’s been doing it in the spring and so it was fun to watch him to go out there and compete.”
Robinson also pointed to Kareem Key, who has played multiple positions for Alabama State but is now getting an opportunity at his natural position.
“Kareem Key, he’s been the guy that’s played pretty much every position for us,” Robinson said. “But it’s fun to see him at his natural position.”
The running game provided another layer of support.
Robinson said Alabama State wants to use multiple backs rather than rely on one player to handle the workload.
“We’re going to run the football with multiple guys,” Robinson said. “So, it was good to see all of those guys to get in there and do well when they got the opportunity.”
That balance could become increasingly important as Body works his way back into game shape.
The quarterback’s first game back wasn’t flawless, but it didn’t need to be. He protected the football, made enough plays through the air and helped Alabama State rally after Southern grabbed control early.
Robinson’s message afterward was clear: Body doesn’t have to win the game by himself.
“I tell the kids, you know, you get a one-on-one situation, who’s going to make the play?” Robinson said. “That’s not the play call, that’s the player.”
For a quarterback who had waited 301 days to play again, that might have been the perfect way to return.
Body didn’t have to be Superman.
He just had to help Alabama State win.
